THE BIRDS 387 
of the warbling character of the song of the purple finch 
and of the wren. It is wild and mournful, and well fits 
its surroundings. 
Of a different type is the fox sparrow. A large, hand- 
some, rather showily dressed bird is he, one that does not 
hide his ight under a bushel. As a musician he takes first 
rank. He is a performer of high merit. His clear and 
flutelike notes ring out with great purity, yet his song 
has not the charm of some simpler bird melodies. 
The redpoll belongs also in this zone, although it hardly 
appears to have a local habitation, such a restlessly wan- 
dering bird is it. Its chug chug as it flies recalls the white- 
winged crossbill’s call note, and its sweet dee-ar resembles 
closely the similar note of its cousin goldfinch. Frequently 
in the breeding season it waxes melodious in its own way, 
and flies about in irregular circles, alternately chug chugging, 
and emitting a finely drawn rattle or tml. 
The Tennessee warbler and the Wilson’s warbler are both 
found in this zone, the former a very plain, inconspicuous 
bird, the latter bright yellow witha glossy black cap. The 
Tennessee warbler is as inconspicuous in its habits as in its 
plumage, and retires to the depths of thickets when the 
observer endeavours to learn its secrets. The Wilson’s 
warbler, on the other hand, does not hesitate to display 
its charms at close range, and sings its simple little song. 
Two other birds, both fine singers, may be mentioned 
here, for they belong in this Hudsonian Zone; namely, the 
ruby-crowned kinglet and Alice’s thrush. That the di- 
minutive kinglet can produce such a loud and wonderfully 
clear and varied song is always a surprise and delight. 
The Alice’s thrush is a common bird in the scrubby woods 
